of St. Mark’s Secondary School and Boca Secondary School respectively, returned to Grenada after successfully completing a two weeks training course in Germany, in the area of Natural Refrigerant technologies.

Mr. Shannel Franklyn

These two schools are the only secondary schools on the island that offers refrigeration and air-conditioning as part of their technical curriculum. Additionally, the schools will be introducing Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification when new academic year starts in September 2018. The intention of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) is to have a module on Natural Refrigerants included in the syllabus of this program. The selection of the teachers to attend this training is geared towards equipping them with the knowledge and experience to adequately prepare the students in new and emerging technologies that are ozone and climate friendly.

Natural refrigerant technology is one of the technologies that is promoted by the NOU as a replacement for the high global warming and ozone depleting flouorinated gases that are currently used in the RAC sector in Grenada.

The attendance of the training was facilitated by the NOU with support from the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4) project that is funded by the government of Germany through GIZ

Thursday July 26th, 2018, National Ozone Unit: Grenada, considered to be one of the leading countries in the region in the application and promotion of low and zero global warming potential alternatives (Natural Refrigerants) in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector (RAC), is sharing its knowledge and experience in this area with other countries in the region. As early as the year 2005, the country invested in developing the capacity of local technicians and providing training for approximately 75% of technicians in hydrocarbon technology. Hydrocarbons have long been considered as one of the best alternatives to replace the high ozone depleting and global warming flourinated gases used in the RAC sector.

On Monday July 23rd, 2018, local RAC trainer, Mr. Henry Frederick left the island for Belize to deliver a two day training on hydrocarbon technology on Wednesday 25th to Thursday 26th. Mr. Frederick who was invited by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Belize is one of the leading experts in Grenada with over twelve years experience working with with hydrocarbons as a refrigerant.

Over the years other Grenadian experts in this area have visited other islands of the Caribbean, namely, Guyana, Dominic, Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis to deliver similar training.

On Wednesday July 18th, 2018, a refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) stakeholder workshop was held to present the key findings of Grenada’s inventory for the RAC sector. This workshop formed part of the activities under the Global programme “Cool Contribution fighting Climate Change” (C4), that is implemented by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in the Energy Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport & Implementation and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). This programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

During a brief opening ceremony, Technincal Advisor to the GIZ, Ms Marion Geiss in her remarks informed the participants that ” the global demand for air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050, due increase of temperature and more disposable income available – and Grenada is no exception”. The C4 project therefore aims to encourage the use of energy-efficient refrigeration and AC equipment using environmentally-friendly, natural refrigerants.

Mr. John Auguste, Senior Energy Officer, representing the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilities, Energy, Transport and Implementation reminded the participants that a successful outcome of the C4 project cannot be achieved without the partnership and contribution of all the stakeholders. He further thanked the GIZ on behalf of the Government of Grenada for the technical and financial assistance provided through the C4 project and encouraged participants to use this event to broader their understanding of the benefits provided by energy efficient and climate friendly refrigeration technologies.

Group Work

Under the inventory component of the project, a comprehensive inventory survey was completed by local consultant Dr. John Telesford, that collected data on the stocks and sales of the RAC appliances used in Grenada, in each of the following sub-sectors: domestic, commercial, industrial and mobile refrigeration and air conditioning units. This inventory data was translated into mitigation scenarios and projections in order to provide hands-on advice towards reducing the energy and refrigerant consumption in the RAC sector.

In addition, stakeholders at the workshop were informed about cooling appliances’ impact on the refrigerant and energy consumption and related direct and indirect carbon dioxide emissions as well as identifying low-hanging fruits and key priorities to mitigate climate change in the RAC sector. To achieve these, Irene Papst, a technical consultant for the Cool Contributions Fighting Climate Change (C4) project, presented information on “Legal and regulatory tools for greening Grenada’s RAC sector”.

The participants of the workshop were also presented with the first set of monitoring data from the pilot sites of the highly energy efficient, natural refrigerant, R-290 (propane) split air conditioners that were recently handed over to the Government of Grenada. Preliminary data indicates that the electricity consumption of these units is approximately one third of existing similar units installed. The project plans to provide more updated data on the pilot projects over the coming months.

During the workshop Mr. Curllan Bhola, technical expert at the C4 project, used the opportunity to present the plans of the NOU to develop a national Cool Training program for RAC technicians. The first training is planned for August 2018.

Friday July 6th, 2018: Grenada, being one of the early ratifiers of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, is moving steadfastly to phase down the use of fluorinated, high global warming potential gases in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector.

Under the project “Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change”, executed by the National Ozone Unit (NOU), thirty (30) air-conditioning units have been provided by the German government through GIZ, to promote the use of nattural refrigerants and energy efficiency in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector. Ultimately the project would reduce Co2 emissions related to energy consumption thereby assisting the country in meeting its Co2 reduction commitments . Public and private sector entities have been selected to participate in the project.

The Grenada Customs and Excise Division is the first beneficiary of these AC units. On Friday July 6th, 2018, a low global warming potential (GWP) 18,000 BTU, R-290 mini-split air condition unit was installed at the office of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, to replace the high GWP, HFC-410A, that was previously installed. From early indications, the energy performance of the unit is very impressive. Energy and temperature monitors have also been installed on the equipment to monitor performance for the next four weeks.

The program of installation of the new units in the participating institutions will continue during the upcoming weeks. The before and after data will be collected and analyzed. This information
would then be used to drive a robust public awareness campaign to promote the use of air-condition units using natural refrigerants – R-290.

On hand to receive the new unit and to express the gratitude of the Customs Department was Deputy Comptroller of Customs, with responsibility for Airport, Accounts and Building Maintenance, Mr. Shane Derby.

Montreal, Canada, Friday June 22nd, 2018: At the recently concluded 81st Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Multi-lateral Fund (June 18-22) for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, two (2) projects were approved for Grenada. The two projects submitted for funding approval were, the extension of the Institutional Strengtheneing Project – ISP VII and Enabling activities for early implemtation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Grenada’s Delegation at the 81st ExCom Meeting

Funding under the ISP is to be used for coordinating all of the implementation activities of the Montreal Protocol and for managing the operations of the National Ozone Unit (NOU). An amount of US 85,000 was approved for the next two years (2018-2020).

The second project that was approved is the project to support of Enabling Activities for early implementation of HFC phase down. The amount approved for Grenada is US 50, 000.

Grenada is currently a member of the ExCom for 2018 and was represented at the meeting by National Ozone Officer, Mr. Leslie Smith.

St. George’s Grenada, June 19th 2018: Refrigeration and air conditioning teachers at two secondary schools in Grenada are the latest to benefit from the “Cool Training” in Natural refrigerants to be held in Germany from June 25th to July 6th, 2018.

The “Cool Training” initiative is part of the National Ozone Unit’s (NOU) ongoing policy to develop the national capacity and opportunities for Refrigeration and Air-condition (RAC) technicians in gaining international experience in the area of Natural Refrigerant Technology. Already, there has been some adoption of this technology in Grenada, primarily in the domestic refrigeration, small commercial refrigeration and mini-split air conditioning systems. Quite recently the NOU launched a demonstration project with its primary aim to promote the use of natural refrigerant in the air-conditioning sector.

The two teachers selected by the National Ozone Unit are, Mr. Shanel Franklyn of Boca Secondary School and Mr. Heston Mann of St. Mark’s Secondary School. These are the only two secondary schools on the island that offers refrigeration and ari-conditioning as part of its curriculum.

The two-week training, which is 70% practical and 30% theory, will provide the teachers with comprehensive knowledge and training on the installation, operation and maintenance of cooling technology using natural refrigerants and will take into account all of the safety considerations required. The training also involves field trips to innovative enterprises in Germany such as, RAC components manufacturers and refrigeration plants that use natural refrigerants. The two teachers will depart Grenada on Saturday 23rd June 2018 for Germany.

The NOU has already provided tools and equipment to these schools to aid in the teaching of Good Refrigeration Practices under its HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP). The NOU is also providing assistance to upgrade the RAC curriculum up to level two certification for the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). Included in the CVQ Certification will also be training in natural refrigerant technology. This training of the teachers will complement the process in developing their capacity to transfer quality information to the students.

Funding for the teachers participation at the training comes from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through the German-Grenadian project component of the project “Cool Contribution fighting Climate Change (C4)”. This project is executed by the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in the Energy Division of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Public Utilites, Energy, Transportation and Implementation, in conjunction with GIZ, to promote ozone-and climate friendly technologies in Grenada.

St. George’s, Grenada. Friday June 9th, 2018. The AC demonstration project that was launched on Thursday May 24th, 2018 as part of the Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change (C4) project that is been executed by the National ozone Unit (NOU) got underway on Tuesday June 5th with the installation of energy and temperature monitoring equipment to collect baseline data.

The first installation of the monitoring devices were done at the New Life Organisation (NEWLO) in Palmiste, St. John on Tuesday 5th. Other installations have been done at the St. Mark’s Secondary School and the St. St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School. During the upcoming week the installation of the monitoring equipment will be completed at the remaining locations that are participating in the project. Data will be collected for a period of four (4) weeks.

The objective of the project is to promote energy efficient cooling systems and the use of natural refrigerant technologies.

Thursday June 8th, 2018: Following the recently concluded Thematic Meeting for National Ozone Officers of the English Speaking Caribbean and Haiti, the National Ozone Officer of Grenada, Mr. Leslie Smith convened a “de-briefing” meeting with the Customs Officers ( Mr. Rene Parkes and Mrs JudyAnn James) who participated in the recently held meeting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The objective of the meeting was to get a summary report from the officers and to identify recommendations that can be implemented for improving the co-operation between the NOU and customs, as well as discussing measures of enhancing the roles of customs officers in monitoring the trade of ozone depleting substances (ODS).

Although the operations of Customs have been very successful in Grenada with regards to their tasks relative to Grenada’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol, several suggestions and recommendations have been identified for consideration to enhance their roles.

With the implementation of these recommendations, the Customs and Excise division will continue to be among the leading stakeholders in the global effort tot rid the planet of ODS.

KINGSTOWN, 30 May 2018— The UN Environment’s OzonAction Branch in cooperation with the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has organized the newly developed training programme for National Ozone Officers in the Caribbean region (Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 28-29 May 2018).

The main objective of this training programme is to provide National Ozone Unit (NOU) staff with essential information about the Montreal Protocol, a country’s obligations under the Montreal Protocol, and the main activities to be carried out by NOUs at the national level. The training also provides newly appointed NOU staff with fundamental knowledge and information tools that will enable them to support their government in meeting its commitments as agreed by all Parties under the Montreal Protocol.

The curriculum and training materials included in this newly developed training programme focuses on information that will support new NOOs in carrying out their daily work in an effective manner. This includes an understanding of national commitments under the Montreal Protocol, the annual cycle of events, annual and intermittent reporting requirements to the Ozone and Multilateral Fund (MLF) Secretariats as well as MLF project cycles. It also addresses key activities at the national level, such as the effective implementation of MLF projects, interacting with ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances) users and other stakeholders.

The new training programme comprises a series of standardized training tools, including concise background documents, presentation slides (PowerPoints), handouts, checklists for NOOs, quizzes, crosswords, innovative activity exercises, evaluation documents, guides for additional work by NOOs before and after training sessions, lists of useful additional resources etc.

The participants included NOU officers and assistants from the Caribbean region (Belize, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines). The representative of Grenada also participated in the work of the NOU training as a resource person.